Reply to post: Density!

New study demonstrates iodine as satellite propellant... in space

cray74

Density!

Iodine's not just space storable, but a room temperature solid that will vaporize easily (184C). Compared liquid and gas containers that have to deal with the stresses of pressurization, an iodine tank could be very light. Just boil a bit off at near-vacuum pressure for the low demand of an ion engine.

And the density! 4.93g/cc is about four times denser than any common liquid or solid propellant, to say nothing of a gas like xenon. The propellant tank would be so light for the delta-V you could cram in it.

Finally, iodine ionizes at a lower energy than xenon, so it's got that advantage.

Cool stuff.

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